Krafts appointed to Coral Springs citizen advisory committees

CORAL SPRINGS — A former Broward School Board member and her husband, both awaiting trial on corruption charges, now have seats on Coral Springs citizen advisory committees.

Stephanie Kraft, who was arrested in October and pleaded not guilty to the charges, was appointed to the Holiday Parade Committee by the City Commission Tuesday night.

She and her husband, Mitch Kraft, were charged with unlawful compensation, bribery and conspiracy to commit unlawful compensation, according to the Broward State Attorney's Office. Stephanie Kraft was also charged with official misconduct.

The Holiday Parade Committee is made up of volunteers and city employees who plan the December city-sponsored event.

"I love a parade!" she wrote in her application.

Kraft and her husband are accused of secretly accepting $10,000 in exchange for helping developers Bruce and Shawn Chait win a $500,000 break on fees to the school district in 2007. The Chaits, of Coral Springs-based Prestige Homes of South Florida Inc., wanted to build homes on defunct golf courses in Tamarac.

Mitch Kraft, the former Tamarac city attorney, was appointed to the Customer Involved Government Committee that "identifies ways for City residents and the business community to become more involved in, and be better informed about, City activities and issues," according to the city form. He was one of two applicants.

"I would like to be of service to the city," Mitch Kraft wrote in his application.

Mayor Roy Gold was the only dissenting vote, citing the criminal charges.

Commissioner Tom Powers said, just before the meeting, that he had "no problem" with the Krafts' applications. "To me, no big deal. They are simply accused. In this country they are innocent until proven guilty."